Perks Over Money: Parking Spaces

Here's an interesting piece from CareerJournal that details the various ways people park at work. What was especially interesting to me were the comments/stories on how some companies use parking spaces as a perk for certain employees. Here's a summary:

Designating some spots for strong performers may be a simple way to improve employee satisfaction and generate healthy competition, says Paula Marks, a vice president at executive-search firm Gilbert Tweed Associates Inc. in New York. "Noncash benefits are what a company can do to let people know they have added value without ruffling the feathers of others," she says. "Often times, it's the psychic gratification that makes people feel really good."

I've seen a variety of parking-related perks at the companies I've worked for including:

• One company offered free downtown parking to executives above a certain level (I wasn't included.) The rest of us had to hoof it across the bridge or pay $8 a day to park close. Yikes!

• Another company had reserved parking spots behind the building for executives (I was included in this group.) It worked out nice for me for two reasons: 1) I was close to the door and 2) if I ever wondered if one of my peers or someone higher up was in the building, all I had to do was look out in the back lot to see if his/her car was there.

• My current company is on a first-come, first-serve basis, which works great for me since I'm always in first. Then again, in a company as small as ours, the difference between the first spot and the fourth spot is the width of four cars. ;-)

How about you -- have you ever had any parking-related perks? Or maybe others in your company do? Do they seem to be "worth it" for those with the privilege?

Comments

[KCLau]

I parked my car in my house most of the time. I awarded myself the best parking lot by moving my office back to my house :)
I think that's the benefit of being self-employed.

[plonkee]

The only parking available at my city centre office is for senior management, pool cars, and car sharers. But since we have good public transport, it isn't too much of an issue.

[Ed]

I am lucky enough to have to fork over 94.45 on a monthly basis to park. Kind of hurt at first but provided me with some motivation to drive up my salary over the last few years. Who am I kidding.... it still hurts.

[rdub98]

I worked for a company that provided a certain amount toward monthly parking, but it wasn't enough to cover the entire fee. I calculated it out and it was cheaper to take the bus into downtown from where I lived, so I just used public transportation.

[Sheryl]

My company has 20 parking spots close to the building for the execs, and 8 spots for the peons that are handed out on a monthly rotating basis. We end up with "priority" parking once a year for a month. I've been lucky to have it during the winter for the past few years. I don't mind walking to my car when it's nice out.

[Ryan]

We have priority parking for management, but since our exit gate is located way in the back of our parking lot, and our building is right next to the building, most managers park in the back anyways for an easy exit and for the free exercise. Driving through our parking lot takes longer than walking.

[Minimum Wage]

I thought people are supposed to delay gratifaction.

[Will]

I live and work in Southern Indiana. There's plenty of free parking here. Pretty much the only paid parking is near downtown area. Everywhere else is free. I can't imagine having to pay for parking to go to work. Many of those who work in the factory come in much earlier then I so as a courtesy, I always find the further parking spaces so I can enjoy a bit of a walk before I head into the building. I hear though from those who live near the area, those who work for automotive mfg plants get to park near or far depending upon which brand of car they happen to be driving. I thought that was interesting.

[Minimum Wage]

In an earlier post, FMF says that both financial success and longevity depend on the skill of delaying gratifaction.